When Aunt Su marched into the enemy's territory, Shen Xingshen was stopped by Shen An, the ninth dumpling in Shen Miaomiao's family, right outside the educated youth compound.
The child latched onto Shen Xingshen's pants, summoned two mischievous allies around his age, and together they whisked him away straight into the bustling crowd.
Shen Xingshen, with his striking looks and elegant posture, stood out among the disordered crowd, but with the old accountant's grandchildren surrounding him, the villagers ignored this sore thumb and focused on the unfolding drama.
He stood in silence, obedient; the very picture of a dutiful adult accompanying the three little rascals. His eyes, however, shone with interest as the intense bargaining inside progressed.
After the aunties emerged victorious, the three little kids took it as their cue and bolted, not forgetting to take the big weakling that their little aunt had her eye on.
"Is it just you three?" Shen Miaomiao asked, her brows raised in amusement.
"Sixth brother was caught by the third brother!"
"Also, fourth brother. And fifth brother."
So by the time the action shifted to the educated youth compound, only three little dumplings remained from the original handful.
"Sister," Shen Xingshen called out smoothly.
Although Shen Miaomiao was startled at first, she accepted the name without any awkwardness.
Shen Miaomiao, after all, loved nothing more than establishing her seniority everywhere and finding ways to climb over their heads.
"We don't have much entertainment here, so it can be chaotic every time there's a little noise. Don't worry, everyone knows the limit, and it won't be a big deal."
The little dumplings bounced up, eager to make their presence known.
"We watched with the crowd."
"Yeah. Yeah. We were on the side. No one can push us!"
Shen An, the youngest of the bunch, didn't crowd with his rowdy brothers. Instead, he spoke with a relaxed tone that set him apart.
"No one was throwing things, so there's no pushing. Little aunt, we watched at a safe distance and didn't join in."
"And we brought big brother zhiqing!" Shen Ye boasted, while Shen Qiu echoed him with an enthusiastic nod.
Naturally, Shen Miaomiao can spot such a big person from afar. But that was beside the point! The important thing was to claim credit.
The talkative aunties have been saying that no one will ever want to marry their little aunt, but look now! Isn't there one now?
He might seem like a lost cause; a little bit skinny, kind of frail, without a hint of meat in the right places, but!
But he's educated!
A real scholar!
The elders always insisted that being educated was the golden ticket, the right answer, and the way to a broader future. Marrying a scholar used to be the dream back then.
You say their little aunt was pestering him? That little aunt was snatching a husband? So what? Bandits snatch wives at the foot of the mountains, and noble ladies snatch husbands under the list.
They never quite grasped the elders' tall tales, but to them, it was all just a matter of snatching.
Of course, their parents unleashed a wave of beatings after hearing their outstanding summary and reasoning.
These little bastards, our house was no bandit den! Never! Don't make it sound like we are!
Although their unreliable little aunt laughed at their swollen butts, she gave them milk candies and spoke human language with them.
"Kidnapping people and forcing them is a crime. A crime is a crime, and you shouldn't justify it. We are a civilized people. Civilized, understand?"
Children of the Shen clan weren't taught to be honest. They can even have their own ideas of right and wrong, shaped by their personal values. However, they need to develop a clear bottom line and never retreat from there.
"Get it straight, Shen Zhiqing and I are in a mutual understanding, okay?"
Don't say she didn't see it; that guy not only quickly changed his tone, but he's quick to climb up the pole as well. In just a few days, he said all the good things, and she did all the hard work. He was obviously looking for someone to rely on.
But that's just right, as she's looking for a husband as well.
Weren't they just the perfect match in this way?
She did not mind if he was just a pretty vase. After all, good-looking decorations have their perks, especially if he knows to stay put in his place.
He had his intentions and she had hers. Calling it mutual understanding wasn't wrong.
In this way, she has no need to play the villain. At most, she's enabling and indulging him, making him an even more useless person who can't stand doing hard labor.
As for her old father's worries that he might be leading her on, is she afraid of scumbags? She's the one digging the pit, okay? With her targeting him, no one else will help him, and without her, can he survive on his own with his frail body?
"Just be good to him and he'll come to our house to stay on his own initiative," Shen Miaomiao instructed the children.
The little dumplings of the old accountant's family are Shen Miaomiao's most loyal lackeys; they know best to remember her instructions and to protect their shortcomings.
Their new big brother was weak and had the questionable ability to work; the talkative aunts always shook their heads at the sight of him, murmuring something, while their other cousins looked down at him with disdain.
If a fight broke out, he would not last a minute, so they must watch over him carefully! Treat him well, and they will be able to get a husband for their little auntie!
The three youngest, with the most time on their hands, patted themselves and swore to complete the task.
After they crowded around to report their 'heroic rescue' of Shen Xingshen from the mouth of danger and the successful 'evacuation' in preventing him from encountering the after effects, Shen Miaomiao rewarded each with a proud, "Good boy!"
As a special treat, Shen Miaomiao promised to take them to her new secret fishing spot.